Hello Albuquerque, any tripods I can rent for a few days?

I will be there for the Balloon Festival/Fiesta, whatever they want to call it.

I need a good tripod while there, with a quick release, able to handle the Mark III and up to a 400mm f2.8.

I am willing to rent from individual or company. Please email me if you have any info. I will need it for Friday and Saturday and can return it on Saturday evening. I am willing to pay for the convenience for someone to deliver and to pick-up. I'll be staying at the Marriott Courtyard. Thanks.

Joe

Check out this outfit, they've got tripods and gimbal heads for rent. Best part is you may be able to do a pick up.

We offer local pick-up. If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, you may not have to wait for your rental at all. We can arrange pick-ups in San Mateo at a time that's convenient to you. Contact us for details.

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20DNewbie wrote in post #4003520
Check out this outfit, they've got tripods and gimbal heads for rent. Best part is you may be able to do a pick up.

[GIFS ARE NOT RENDERED IN QUOTES]

No idea how close you are to them but regardless I'm sure you could sort out shipping if necessary.

Good luck and have a blast at the festival.

I don't get it, this is a Bay area place and I am going to Albuquerque.

Why would I want to do a local pick-up unless they have an outlet in New Mexico, and I looked and didn't see they did.

Am I missing something here? Thanks.

Joe

joegolf68 wrote in post #4003583
I don't get it, this is a Bay area place and I am going to Albuquerque.

Why would I want to do a local pick-up unless they have an outlet in New Mexico, and I looked and didn't see they did.

Am I missing something here? Thanks.

Joe

If it was local enough why not pick it up and bring it with you?

Or contact them and maybe see about having it shipped to the hotel maybe, just throwing ideas out there for you under the time constraints.

20DNewbie wrote in post #4003804
If it was local enough why not pick it up and bring it with you?

Or contact them and maybe see about having it shipped to the hotel maybe, just throwing ideas out there for you under the time constraints.

Thanks. As is in my gear Sig, I have a nice tripod, I just didn't want to ship it there and I'm pretty sure I can't take it on the plane. Heck, maybe there is a way to get it on the plane, but my suitcases won't hold it. I wish it would break down more so as to fit. I was hoping maybe a local person would let me rent theirs or there was a business there that does this. I did find one business that does rentals there, but they have a minimum of like $50, which might be worth it if they deliver and then pick up. I could always do the slimy thing and buy one, have it shipped there, and then return it under warranty, lol, not my style! If I didn't like my SLIK Pro tripod so much, I would buy a new one there and ship it back.

Thanks for your assistance. Actually the pace in the Bay Area is like over two hours from my house. Maybe I should find out if there is a travel case thing I could use to check it in at the airport.

Such a hassle. But thanks for the help, I do appreciate that you've taken the time to assist me 20DNewbie.

Joe

Why not ship the tripod via FedEx or UPS to yourself, in care of the hotel? If you ship by tomorrow, via 2-Day Air, it'll be there on Friday.

Know anyone that plays golf and travels with their clubs? If so I'd see if I could borrow their bag case.

Good luck in sorting something out.

20DNewbie wrote in post #4003804
If it was local enough why not pick it up and bring it with you?

Or contact them and maybe see about having it shipped to the hotel maybe, just throwing ideas out there for you under the time constraints.

sac is 100 miles away from san fran

Or you could box up the tripod and ship it as checked baggage.

Karl C wrote in post #4007754
Or you could box up the tripod and send it with you as checked baggage.

beat me to it.. i was just going to suggest that.

Yeah, I used to travel with golf clubs, and if I recall, I could also have a checked-in suitcase, I think. It has been so long since I have taken anything but a carry-on that I can't remember, I guess I can call Southwest and find out, as I do have several golf club cases I could use, which would allow me to have a monopod also. Good idea guys, thanks.

Joe

Joe,

You don't know who I am, but I live in Rio Rancho and would be glad to offer assistance in being a temporary shipping dock if you need one. RIo Rancho is about 10 miles from the fiesta park, so it is not a bad drive and my wife if almost always home to accept packages.

Being a stranger I could understand hesitation, but just know my offer stands just our of kindness.

As for local rentals, hmmmm. the only really good camera place here is Kurts Camera Corall (505) 266-7766

If they do rent, you would probibly need to reserve it quickly as the baloon fiesta is just a mad house if you have never been.

Cheers
Alex

asfullax wrote in post #4023297
Joe,

You don't know who I am, but I live in Rio Rancho and would be glad to offer assistance in being a temporary shipping dock if you need one. Rio Rancho is about 10 miles from the fiesta park, so it is not a bad drive and my wife if almost always home to accept packages.

Being a stranger I could understand hesitation, but just know my offer stands just our of kindness.

As for local rentals, hmmmm. the only really good camera place here is Kurts Camera Corral (505) 266-7766

If they do rent, you would probably need to reserve it quickly as the balloon fiesta is just a mad house if you have never been.

Cheers
Alex

Thanks Alex, that is what a Forum like this is all about. I will let you know. Right now I am looking at the possibility of actually having mine taken with me if I can get it checked in with my bag. If not, I will most likely have it shipped directly to the hotel and let the concierge earn a tip. Thanks so much for the kind offer.

Joe

Karl C wrote in post #4007754
Or you could box up the tripod and ship it as checked baggage.

Yep, that is a real possibility. I guess Southwest would allow that and not ding me for two check ins.

Thanks all for the kind replies. I really look forward to seeing all of those balloons and the challenge of getting some decent images.

Joe

Not positive, but it sounds like this will be your first time. here are some tips that can help you get some great shots (If you already know all this, then consider this a "points" bulletin for others. :

1. Don't be afraid to ask somebody if you can get a shot inside / really close to what they are doing. Most balloonists are perfectly ok with photographers getting "in their face" and as long as you’re polite, they are more then happy to help out.

2. For the impossible shots, such as "in the basket" or shooting through the exhaust hole on top, offer a copy of the shots to the balloonist. many of my friends have done that and a few have even received free balloon rides for the panoramic view shots.

3. When somebody says move when the balloon is rising, move. the tether the person(s) are holding that attaches to the top can pull as much as 400-500 pounds, so if you get in the way, they will plow through you if needed. Although, if you want to get the shot of them holding the balloon down, just ask and tell them you understand what is going on and will move quickly as soon as you get the shot. (I usually drop my bag a few feet away so nothing can drop)

4. Dress in layers, the mornings can be very, very cold, but as the day progresses, temps up to 75-80 with full un-shaded sun are common. The best days to shoot are when it is very cold because they use less gas and can play around more with the jets giving you the dawn glow which is beautiful.

5. There are so many people there that if you drop something, you will probably never find it. So, in short, hold on to your gear for dear life. I can't tell you how many lens caps and hoods I have lost there.

6. Lastly, enjoy the photography, but also take some time to watch what’s going on without the camera. The sensation during mass ascension is dizzying and beautiful, indescribable if you are in the center of the park.



Alex

joegolf68 wrote in post #4024102
Yep, that is a real possibility. I guess Southwest would allow that and not ding me for two check ins.

Thanks all for the kind replies. I really look forward to seeing all of those balloons and the challenge of getting some decent images.

Joe